Uncategorized Archives | Swartz Restoration and Emergency Services

Electrical Fire Restoration in Belle Center

In May 2024, we were contacted to help with a fire damage claim in Belle Center, Ohio. There was a small fire that started in…

Water Damaged Basement in Pandora

In July 2024, we received a call from Pandora, Ohio. A home owner's sump pump had malfunctioned, causing water damage in their finished basement. They…

House Fire Restoration Started from Vehicle near Garage

In November of 2023, we were contacted by the Allen County Sheriff's Office to board up a property after a house fire in Bluffton, Ohio.…

Water Damage Prevention: Get Smart

This is our final article in the Water Damage Prevention Series. We know that Water Damage is not a fun experience, because we see it…

Water Damage Prevention: Outside Prevention

Here at Swartz Restoration & Emergency Services, our hope is that you never experience any sort of water damage. Most often, water damage occurs inside…

Water Damage Prevention: Maintenance Routine

No one wants to experience water damage in their home or their business. It's not a fun experience, and it can be costly. So, what…

When Water Damage and Fire Damage Mix

When our Water Team is called out to a home, most of the time it's because there's just water damage on the property. On this…

What To Do If You Experience Storm Damage?

Spring weather in West Central Ohio is often very wet. Rains saturate the ground, causing minor flooding most years. Yet those spring rains are delivered…

Why You Need to Know HOW to Turn Off Your Water

Water damage in your home or your business can make your world stop! We get it! We see it every week. We specialize in helping…

Water in a Finished Basement

We were called to a home in Cridersville, Ohio when a home owner discovered water in their finished basement. Our team arrived quickly and immediately…

Types of Water Damage

It has been a wet few weeks here in Ohio, which means our phones have been ringing off the hook. We specialize in water damage…

What does it mean to Dryout, Cleanup and Rebuild?

When we receive a call in our office, our team is ready to answer and help. Sometimes that help looks like referring the caller to…

Dehumidi-fires

Take a look at these three sets of pictures. They were each started by the same machine, a Dehumidifier. The machine designed to remove excess…

Navigating the Restoration Process after Experiencing Storm Damage

After a storm rolls through your area, it can leave a lot of devastation in its wake. Branches and leaves littered across lawns. Puddles and…

Wind Storm Damage in Wapak, Ohio

The Spring of 2023 brought a storm into the area that caused wind storm damage to multiple homes in Wapak, Ohio. This home was one…

Vehicle Damage to Home in Lima, Ohio

In July of 2023, a minivan drove off the street and into the side of a brick house. We were called out to secure the…

Understanding the Extent of Structure Damage Restoration

Experiencing damage to the structure of your home or your business can feel overwhelming. No matter the cause of the structure damage, it can be…

Navigating Restoration after Vehicle Impact Damage

A Guide to Assessment and Inspection Having a vehicle drive into your home or business is a devastating event, often causing quite a bit of…

Getting through the Smoke: Scents of Fire Damage

Scents of Fire Damage The smells of fire damage can be very distinct. Damage to a home or building after a fire is a result…

Bellefontaine House Fire Restoration

A house fire in Bellefontaine, Ohio was caused from their gas fireplace. A fire was started by... a fire? Yes, there's irony in that, but…

Cleanup and Debris Removal

Fire Questions Series We continue our series of answering your questions about fire damage restoration. Today's topic addresses questions pertaining to Cleanup and Debris Removal.…

Fire Questions: Timeline and Duration

We continue our Fire Questions series today, as we answer three more questions about Timeline and Duration of the restoration process. Q1: How long does…

Preventing Frozen Pipes

The Cold is Coming!!! This weekend and early next week in our area is about to experience some very cold temperatures. We often find ourselves…

Action Steps for a Leaking Pipe

Being prepared for the cold snap this weekend is only the beginning. Prevention is always the most ideal situation, right? Yet if you discover water…

Water Heater Leak in Wapak Ohio

Hot Water Heater Leak Three days after Christmas, we were called to an apartment quadplex in Wapak, Ohio. A water heater leaked in one of…

‘Twas the Night before Christmas

Swartz Restoration Edition 'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, smoke was encircling and forcing out the mouse. The flames that had…

Vehicle Impact in St. Marys Ohio

In the fall of 2023, we were called to a residence in St. Marys, Ohio. Someone had driven a vehicle into the garage...without opening the…

Playing Together at Work

Not Working Together Last week everyone in our company set aside one whole day to not work. That's right! We didn't do our regular job…

Understanding the Smells of Water Damage

The Unseen Issues Water damage can cause a variety of issues in a home or a business. Some of those issues are easily seen, like…

Understanding the Extent of Fire Damage Restoration

Having a fire in your home or business can feel overwhelming. Depending on the severity of the fire and the damage, you could have just…

Gratitude in Restoration

As the holiday season unfolds and families gather to express gratitude, we at Swartz Restoration are taking a moment to reflect on the immense gratitude…

Navigating Fire Damage Restoration

A Guide to Assessment and Inspection Experiencing a fire in your home or business is a devastating event, but understanding the first steps in the…

Mastering the Art of Water Damage Restoration

A Comprehensive Guide Water damage in your home can be a nightmare, but understanding the restoration process can bring you much-needed relief. In this blog…

Questions of Restoration

The unthinkable has happened: you have water damage in your home, or your business has been damaged by fire! Or someone drove into your home…

Lima Ohio Residential Home Fire

Back in 2016, the fire department called our team out to board up a property after a house fire. We boarded up all the windows,…

Complete Home Restoration In Lima, Ohio

Every restoration job is different. Some require very little demo work and others require a complete tear down. This job was a complete tear down.…

Residential House Fire in Lima, OH

Back in 2016, the fire department called us out to board up this property after a fire. The call came in late at night and…

Mixing Restoration with Compassion

At Swartz Restoration, we set ourselves apart from other general contractors by mixing restoration with compassion. Our title for that blend is "We Care." How…

Delphos, OH Sump Pump Failure

A home in Delphos, Ohio, experienced water damage recently when the sump pump failed. The home had a nice, finished basement, and water was discovered…

“We Care” Scholarship 2023 Winners

We had the privilege of sorting through all the applications we received for the Swartz Restoration "We Care" Scholarship. So many quality students sent in…

Toilet Leak in Lima, Ohio

A toilet in Lima, OH, leaked for a week. Thankfully it was a supply line and not the sewage line! The water leaked across the…

Shower Drain Backs Up in Lima, OH

A shower drain backs up in Lima, Ohio, giving the home owner an experience they will not forget. The basement sump pump backed up, causing…

Washing Machine Causes Water Damage in Columbus Grove, Ohio

A washing machine caused water damage in Columbus Grove, Ohio. Water spread across the floors in a few different rooms, finding its way into the…

Outdoor Spigot Causes Water Damage in Sidney, Ohio

This spring we were called about water damage in Sidney, Ohio. An outdoor water spigot was left running all night. After it was shut off the…

Water Damage Affected 6 Floors of Upscale Condominium in Lima

An upscale condominium building in Lima, OH had a water pipe break on the top floor this spring. Because water still flows downhill, it affected…

Tips to Prepare for Thunderstorms in Ohio

One benefit of living in Ohio is getting to experience all four seasons in full effect. Now that Spring is well underway, we are beginning…

Which Home Appliances can Cause the Most Water Damage?

Which home appliances can cause the most water damage? In our 35 years of experience, we have been called to Dryout, Cleanup and Rebuild many homes…

Water Backup Insurance

In our 35 years of experience, we have helped a lot of different people, and we have seen a lot of different situations. One issue…

Sump Pump Failure in Lima, OH

A little over a year ago, we received a call after a sump pump failure in Lima, OH. A plumber had been called to make…

Water in a Local Basement

Earlier this spring, we were called to one house because the sump pump malfunctioned, flooding their basement. The flooring in the basement was mostly painted…

Time for Spring Cleaning

As the temperatures begin warming up this time of year, it is time for spring cleaning. The longer, brighter days help us get excite to…

Benefits of Reviewing Your Insurance Policy

Reviewing Your Policy We have been in business for many years, and we help customers work with their insurance company throughout the water restoration process.…

Pump-out vs. Water Extraction

Maybe you did everything the experts recommend to prevent water damage from touching your home. Yet you discover water in your basement or part of…

Multi-family Rental Unit Fire Restoration in Lima, OH

This summer we were called out for a rental unit fire restoration. A fire had started in an upstairs bathroom, in the middle unit of…

Water Damages in Wapak, OH

In February 2019, we were called about water damages in a home in Wapak, Ohio. The home had been vacant during the winter, but a…

Water Damage in the Winter

As the temperatures outside begin to drop below the freezing point, your home is more at risk of winter water damage. When water freezes, it…

12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

On the twelfth day of Holiday Fire Safety, my true love warned me to check... As we approach the holidays, let's take a little time…

Fire Restoration Services

Few events can be as devastating to a family or business owner as a fire. This experience can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and…

6 Ways to Avoid Kitchen Fires during the Holidays

Food plays a big role in our lives every single day. We eat to fuel our bodies for the work we do, and we feast…

Property Board-Up after a Fire

Why did they do that?! Have you ever driven by a home after there was a fire? You see boards covering all of the broken…

The Beauty & Risks of Christmas Trees

We know that many of you are like many of us: you have waited as long as you can before putting up your Christmas tree!…

The Forgotten Smoke Alarm

For many of us, we forget the smoke alarm is even in our home, until it goes off! With so many activities on our schedules,…

Apartment Fire in Van Wert, OH

A few years back, we received a call from a previous client in Van Wert, OH. His multi-unit apartment complex had caught fire. The apartment…

Garage Fire in Celina, OH

A few years ago, an insurance agent called us to board up a house in Celina, OH after a garage fire. The fire started on…

Apartment Complex Burst Pipe in Ottawa, Ohio

In early March of 2022, we received a late-night call about an apartment complex burst pipe in Ottawa, Ohio. We stopped out the next morning…

Vehicle Impact Delphos Ohio

Back in 2018, we were called by a local insurance agent about a car running through a beauty salon. We got the board-up call around…

Commercial Water Loss in Lima, Ohio

Back in May of 2021, we were called out to a commercial water loss in Lima, OH. This particular business has been a vendor of…

Car Wash Fire in Lima OH

Fire started in one of the automatic wash bays to a local car wash. We were called out to do a roof tarp to prevent…

Commercial Electrical Fire in Lima, OH

A local business in Lima, Ohio, had an electrical fire in their commercial property. The fire started in the electrical panel and spread to two…

Historic Apartment Building in Wapak OH

A fire broke out in a top apartment unit in Wapakoneta, Ohio. The fire caused serious damage to the top units and burned the roof…

Commercial building vehicle impact before

Vehicle Impact To Insurance Agency in Bellefontaine

Back in 2016, a vehicle struck the side of the building. We came out to board up the window and the bricks were damaged. After…

Bi-Level House Fire in Bellefontaine

We were called out to do a board up on a bi-level property by the homeowner’s local agent. The fire damage was caused by an…

Frozen Pipe Damage in Wapak OH

Back in Feb of 2019, we got a call about frozen pipes causing water damage to a home. At the time, the home was vacant…

Attic Fire In Lima, OH

Call came in during the middle of the night from the fire department for a board up/secure of a residential home that caught fire. Electrical…

Commercial Building Fire Ottawa Ohio

A fire loss was called in by the local fire department. We boarded up a door and discovered water damage upstairs. Before we could get…

Electrical Fire in Lafayette, Ohio

We were called out to secure a garage that had an electrical fire. Majority of the damage was in the attic, so we had to…

2 Story Apartment Fire in Lima Ohio

The adjuster for this job called us to board up this 2 story apartment unit. The fire happened in the downstairs kitchen and there was…

Vehicle Impact to Lima Home

The homeowner’s local insurance agent referred them to us to stabilize the garage after it was hit by a car. The person that impacted the…

Leipsic House Fire

This residential house caught fire in Leipsic, Ohio. The fire started upstairs above the kitchen. We were called out late in the night to secure…

Attic Fire in Ottawa

Attic Fire Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services was called by the homeowner's insurance agent. The house fire was back in January. Fire was caused by…

Residential Complete Rebuild in Celina Ohio

Tornado Damage in Celina During the tornados in Celina, Ohio 2019, we were called out for a board up. We secured the property until we…

Restaurant Fire in Celina, Ohio

Restaurant/Apartment Fire Damage This job was called in to us by the property owner of the restaurant back in 2013. Above the restaurant is an…

Choosing A Commercial Contractor

It can be tough to find the RIGHT contractor to turn the building of your dreams into a reality. You are proud of the business…

frozen pipe burst water damage in tanning area

4 Tips To Prevent Water Damage

Water damage can happen at any time and is something we don’t think about preparing for. There are many causes of water damage such as…

How Snow Can Damage Your Property

Winter can be a fun time. It’s a time to go out and play in the snow, build snowmen, and drink hot chocolate. Although snow…

swartz contracting & emergency services water extraction

Do’s & Don’ts of Frozen Pipes

As the weather keeps flipping from below freezing temperatures to spring weather, it can cause your pipes to become frozen. Just imagine sitting on your…

swartz contracting and emergency services board up after a fire

Board Up The Property After A Fire

Secure Structure After Fire Loss When the fire department goes out to extinguish a fire, it is important to board up and secure the property…

Do you know the leading causes of home fires?

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), 1,342,000 structure fires were reported and cost $10.6 billion in property damage in 2016. A fire can…

History of Swartz

The Beginning After trying out different career paths such as accounting and working for two different local construction companies, Paul Swartz created the company Swartz…

Water Mitigation Process

A water loss is extremely stressful. We try to take as much stress off our customers as possible. During the water loss, we will work…

How do pipes freeze and burst?

With the presence of winter weather, the threat of freezing pipes is on many homeowners’ minds. Pipes burst mainly for one reason: water expands when…

12 days holiday fire safety christmas bells

The 12 Days of Holiday Fire Safety

12 Extension cords If extension cords are overloaded with holiday lights, they can overheat and catch fire. Avoid overloading the cord by reading over the…

10 Bad Habits That Cause Home Fires

According to a five-year study by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to, on average, 1,000 home fires every day. When…

Can Your Business Survive A Disaster?

Disaster can strike at any time or anywhere. There's not a 10-minute warning to prepare, it just happens. Leaving you to pick up the pieces…

Fire Prevention Safety Tips Every Business Needs To Know

An office fire can strike at any moment. A fire can destroy your property and can put your employees in immediate danger. Don’t think lightly…

Priority Response Emergency Program (PREP)

Learn why you need PREP

One of the best feelings in the world is peace of mind, knowing that everything is protected and safe in case the worst happens. Our…

Water Damaged Drywall

Is it just us, or has Northwest Ohio felt a bit like Seattle lately? We’ve had quite a bit of rain, but even more so…

Hidden Spots You Need to Clean

Our home is our domain, our castle, our solitude. We keep it clean, tidy, and free from invaders - right? As it turns out, maybe…

The 3 Most Common Flood Types

Whether you live in a small house in the suburbs or a large, luxurious ranch in the country, your home is at risk of flooding.…

How to Save Your Carpet from Water Damage

Water damage to carpet is a very common problem and one that can cause homeowners a lot of grief. In this article, you'll learn how…

5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

The air inside your home and office can often be more polluted than the air outside. Within the air, you'll find microscopic dust mites, mold,…

Burst Supply Line to Washing Machine in Lima, Ohio

A property manager called Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services to clean up a flooded condo. After the arrival of our team, a detailed and thorough…

How to Prevent Air Conditioner Water Damage

The weather is finally starting to warm up, and it’s the perfect time to make sure your air conditioning system is ready to beat the…

Flooded Crawl Space Ada, Ohio

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services was called in to assess a water damage situation in Ada, Ohio. A supply line behind the hot water heater…

commercial remodeling restoration before

Commercial Building Restoration Lima, Ohio

Swartz Contracting was called in to bring life to an old building in downtown Lima, Ohio. The building had water damage and mold damage that…

Water Damage Wapak, Ohio

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services was called out to a water damage situation in Wapak, Ohio. A pex fitting had came loose in the basement,…

Smoke Odor Removal Piqua, Ohio

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services was called in to remove a smoke odor in a condo unit. Three hydroxyl units were placed in the condo…

Leaky Dishwasher Damage Bellefontaine, Ohio

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services recently was called in to clean up the mess caused by a faulty dishwasher drain line. It affected the kitchen…

Flooded basement in Ottawa, Ohio

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services was recently called out to asses a flooded basement caused by a burst supply line to an outside spigot.…

Surviving a Fire

There are few events more frightful than experiencing a fire in your home. To prepare, there are a few things that should be established in…

Do’s and Don’ts After Experiencing Damage

At Swartz Contracting and Emergency Services, we understand the loss and suffering that comes after experiencing a damage, whether it be from a fire, water…

Recalled Dehumidifiers

Description: This recall involves 20, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, 65 and 70-pint dehumidifiers with brand names Danby, De’Longhi, Fedders, Fellini, Frigidaire, Gree, Kenmore, Norpole,…

The Importance of a Bathroom’s Exhaust Fan

Think of all the hot showers and steam that a bathroom has to endure. All of the excessive moisture that builds up in the bathroom…

Keys to Drying a Water Damaged Area

Properly removing water from a damaged structure is incredibly important and should be taken seriously. Here are the keys to properly drying a water damaged…

Necessary Maintenance Tasks: Part 2

There are a few more areas that can be checked for maintenance purposes in order to keep things running smoothly in your home. Now is…

Necessary Maintenance Tasks: Part 1

There is a lot to home maintenance that is sometimes forgotten in the shuffle of the day-to-day list of things that have to be done.…

Water Damage and Your Health

If water damage is not treated correctly or in a timely manner, it will eventually destroy the integrity and structure of the building, and worse,…

The Best Ways to Prevent Basement Flooding

If you have experienced water damage in your basement, you know how stressful it is. You know how much damage can happen to your cherished…

Preventing Mold Growth in Your Home

The winter months can be one of the best times of year for mold to grow. Often mold is contained near water sources where it…

Water Saving Tips: Ways to save water in the home in Lima, Ohio

Saving money is extremely important to everyone, especially during seasons when heating or cooling bills are higher. Most people are aware of a large amount…

Water Heater: Inspections and When to Replace

Unfortunately, the first time you are aware of a problem with your water heater, it is when you have a giant puddle in your basement…

5 Most Common Causes of Electrical Fires

The weather is cooler, the heaters are on. The holiday season is here and the lights are going up. According to the U.S. Fire Administration,…

The Most Common Places for Mold Growth in Your Home

Discovering mold your home can be a jarring experience. It’s easy to go through a wide range of emotions from disgust to being fearful that…

Mold Help: What is it and why is it so bad?

Mold is silent, ugly, and can be detrimental to your health if found in your home and left untreated. Often times, without even realizing, you…

7 Precautionary Measures To Prevent A Home Fire

According to the U.S. Fire Administration’s report on residential fires, in 2014, the national average of home fires was 379,500 which resulted in 2,765 deaths,…

What To Do After Water Damage Is Discovered

Discovering your home has suffered from water damage from flooding, a busted pipe, roof leak or a sump pump backup is not fun, extremely inconvenient…

Steps to Water Loss Restoration

Experiencing any amount of water damage, whether it be a busted pipe or flooded basement, is an overwhelming experience and it’s tough to know where…

Swartz Contracting Restoring Hope in Louisiana

We have partnered with Impact With Hope as an official drop off location to collect supplies for the victims of the devastating floods in Louisiana.…

The Escalation of Water Damage (Lima, Ohio)

No matter how big or small, any amount of water left unattended to is going to cause problems. Whether it’s a leaky appliance or rainwater…

7 Major Causes for Property Water Damage

Water damage to a property happens. Some damage can be avoided, while others can’t. Here are the top 7 causes for property damage: (more…)

How to Secure a Property After a Fire

While a property owner's nightmare begins at the sign of fire, it’s after the fire is out that the real work begins. It’s a fire…

3 Levels of Water Categories

Typically, the first step in any water restoration processes is to identify the contamination level of the water. This level of water contamination is broken…

Appliances That Can Cause the Most Water Damage

One of the major causes of water damage to a home is a result of malfunctioning appliances. The damage appliances can bring to a household…

Preventive Maintenance in Your Bathroom

Preventive maintenance from water damage in your bathroom should be made a priority. Not only will taking preventative maintenance steps make your life easier, but…

Pre-Vacation Checklist

You have planned for over a year and it’s finally vacation time! Just because your bags are packed doesn’t mean the work is done; there’s…

Ceiling Stains and Water Damage

Ceiling stains as a result of water damage are not only unsightly, but it can be hazardous to your health, home value, and your wallet.…

Water Damage Timing is Essential

Water damage is a large problem for many household owners. Not only can water damage begin as soon as the water is present, but if…

Spring Cleaning Checklist

The birds are chirping and the fresh smell of spring is in the air. While that means warmer weather and more time spent outside, it…

Why you should hire a professional

Maybe you are the type of person who loves to save money by doing things yourself. Or maybe you are the person who did something…

What do Fire Restoration Services Include?

Few events can be as devastating to a family or business owner than a fire. This experience can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and…

Continuing education for insurance agents

3 reasons continuing education is important for insurance agents

Is continuing education on your to-do list? If you’re an insurance agent, it should be. As an Ohio insurance agent, by law, you are required…

How to better understand your insurance policy

Emotional trauma almost always accompanies a disaster or emergency causing both disruption and damage to you and your family’s lives. We want to provide the…

How to select a restoration contractor

Having restoration work performed on your property is a very stressful situation. The restorer should be able to answer any questions you have about the…

How to keep your carpets clean this winter

How is it that snow can look so pretty from your window, but when you come in from a day in the snow, your carpets…

What to do when your pipes freeze and how to prevent it

Oh no! Your pipes froze! You’re probably aware that when this happens, the damages can be disastrous. Even having one pipe burst can cost you…

How to Prevent Water Damage from Snow and Ice

Tis the season of picture-perfect glistening white snow and frigid temperatures. Sure, snow is beautiful and with it comes the best time of the…

How to prevent a house fire during the holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s time to put the Christmas tree up, hang the lights, get the decorations out, and start…

The Why and How of Winterizing Your Home

Winter will be here before we know it, and you know what that means: cranking up the thermostat, longer nights, and wet weather are ahead.…

Do you know how to properly dispose of leaves?

It’s that time of year again: cool, crisp air, pumpkins everywhere, and those dreaded autumn leaves all over your lawn. You know you want them…

How Small Leaks can turn into Big Problems

A small leak in the bathroom or some drippy plumbing under the sink. It doesn’t seem like a big deal at the moment or even…

How to Execute the Proper Fire Escape Plan

Here’s a startling fact: Each year in this country, there are more than 300,000 home fires that result in nearly 3,000 deaths and $6.8 million…

Hidden Dangers of Laminate Flooring and Water Damage

Laminate flooring is great for those who don’t want to spend the extra money on the hardwood, but still, want the same look. There are…

How to Protect your Documents from a Fire

Most people tend to put the thought of natural disasters out of their minds. They tend to think “it will never happen to me.” Well,…

Flood Insurance: Do You Need it?

Do you have flood insurance? Most of you reading this will probably answer no, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have it. Did you know…

The Most Common Reasons for Water in your Basement

Water damage in the basement is one of the most annoying problems that homeowners face, especially those with finished basements. There are some common causes…

6 Different Ways to Avoid Kitchen Fires

If you own a home or are renting somewhere, you most likely have a kitchen. Kitchen fires are a common occurrence and the room where…

Give your Home a Little TLC this Summer

Just because you just finished your Spring Cleaning doesn’t mean the work is done around the house. Summer is a great time to getaway from…

Do You Have the Right Fire Safety Equipment?

I don’t think anyone is really ever prepared for a fire. I mean afterall, we as humans think we are exempt from any natural disaster…

Fire Hazards: What They Mean for your Home

No one ever expects their home to catch fire, but fire hazards exist all through our homes. The most important thing to remember is most…

flooded neighborhood after heavy rain fall

Are You Prepared for Water Damage?

Flooding is the nation’s number one national disaster. Most people are not ready for flash floods or storms that may bring more rain than your…

customers in a meeting with insurance agent

The Key Questions to Ask Your Insurance Agent about Home Owners Insurance

Buying a new home and not sure what questions you should ask in regards to homeowners insurance? Homeowners insurance is very valuable, which is why…

The Drying Process for Water Damage

Busted pipes, leaky roofs, toilet failure… there are all kinds of ways your home can suffer water damage. Whether it’s lack of attention or a…

How to Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher

.With so many different types of fire extinguishers out there, it can be difficult to choose the one that is right for you. Whether it’s…

What to do When Your Sump Pump Fails

If you have a basement then you know all about sump pumps. If you’ve never had one fail and flood your basement, then you’ve probably…

How to Delight Your Insured When they have an Emergency

How can I please them when they’re in the middle of an emergency? As an insurance agent, and a fine one we might add, you…

7 Bathroom Water Damage Facts

Is Your Bathroom at Risk? It’s probably no surprise that your home’s bathroom is the most susceptible room in the house for water damage. With…

5 Signs of a Trustworthy Contractor

No one expects disaster to strike. And no one expects a contractor to burn them in an already terrible situation. You hire a contractor to…

Why You Need a Professional When You Have Water Damage

Causes of Water Damage Water damage can happen at any time of year because the culprits are vast. Many people think of just flooding after…

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

We’re already into the freezing temperatures and the winter season. We may not be able to prevent damage that comes from natural disasters, but frozen…

Every Home Needs an Emergency Supply Kit

It’s the time of the year for severe weather, and it always pays to be prepared. Every home should have a first aid kit, tools,…

Don’t Let Water Stall a Property Sale

When you’re trying to sell property, the last thing you need is water damage. If it’s not handled right, you won’t be able to sell.…

Be Sure That First Aid Kit is Properly Stocked

An earlier post listed the recommended contents for an Emergency Supply Kit that included a first aid kit. We received questions asking what should be…

Insurance Companies Doing Well, But From Investments, Not Underwriting

According to a report by ISO’s Property Claim Services (PCS), private U.S. property/casualty insurers’ net income after taxes rose to $34.7 billion in 2010 from…

Do Your Policyholders Have the Right Coverage?

As we work with people as they recover from wind storms, tornados, floods and other natural disasters, we continue to be struck by how little…

Does Your Restoration Contractor Measure Up?

We trust people that we have never met before, just because they have an MD or Dr. attached to their name. We will let someone…

Blake Bartels Named Swartz Contracting Director of Business Development

Blake Bartels has joined Swartz Contracting as our new Director of Business Development. Bartels brings us more than 14 years of marketing and sales experience.…

Do Your Claims Bite?

There’s an old saying that “dog bites man” isn’t news, but “man bites dog is.” That’s true, but how about when a dog bites man to…

Disasters and Their Terms

In order to understand what you hear on your radio, tv, or computer concerning weather alerts, you may find these terms and their definitions helpful!…

What Makes Us Different?

There are a lot of restoration contractors out there that you can refer or use, and while we all may seem to offer the same…

Ohio Spared Worst of Storms, But May Not Escape Insurance Rate Hikes

The Dayton Daily News reports that while Ohio has not been hit as hard as other states during the recent outbreaks of catastrophic storms, state…

Your Company’s Online Presence

First impressions are everything, but if don’t ever give someone the opportunity to meet you, then they will never have any impression of you or…

Ohio Insurance Agents with Back Taxes Risk Losing Their Licenses

Ohio’s recently passed a licensing law requires insurance agents to renew their licenses every two years. It also allows the state to refuse to renew…

A Pleased Customer

We would like to tell you a short story about one of our customers. Last year, we had the privilege of working for a lady…

Life is full of surprises

Life throws us some curve balls sometimes, but if we take the time to do a little homework, we may find ourselves being able to…

We Flood, Too. Badly, In Fact.

Whenever there’s a weather event, one of the first questions we’re asked is, “How much work can you handle?” People are concerned that when everyone is…

as High as $400 Million

According to the Ohio Insurance Institute, preliminary estimates of insurance companies losses from the May 20-26 storms range from $322 to $400 million, making this…

Disasters putting people back to work

After a few extreme months of storms and flooding, there may be at least one positive thing coming to light. Starting as soon as different…

Swartz Gives Back

Whenever you are given much, much is required. Here at Swartz Contracting we feel that we have been given amazing customers, insurance agents, insurance adjusters, and a…

Got bugs?

Your bed is your place to relax and call “home” every night. The last thing you want in your bed is some not so friendly…

Federal Disaster Aid Available for Ohio Storm and Flood Damage

FEMA has announced the federal disaster aid is now available to aid Ohio’s recovery from the storms and flooding from April 4 to May 15.…

50 Miles in Every Direction

Ever wonder how far Swartz Contracting will travel to serve a customer? In general, we will travel 50 miles in every direction from Lima, Ohio.…

More Solar in Ohio

As of this date, Ohio has about 12 megawatts of solar power, but that number will increase before to long. The largest solar panel array…

Most common disasters

Disasters happen all over the world, but there are certain disasters that are more frequent then others. The world’s number one disaster is floods. Floods…

Agents/Adjusters Need CE Course Hours?

Swartz Contracting is proud to announce that we will be having a CE Course for insurance agents, adjusters, and other professionals who may need these…

Customer Satisfaction

We worked for a wonderful couple named the Shivley’s. Mold had become an issue in their bathroom, and we were called to remediate the mold…

Technology and the Insurance Industry

It’s been said to work smarter not harder, and that is exactly what insurance companies are doing these days. Insurance companies including State Farm, Fireman’s…

Lima Lumber

Please watch a short video from one of our vendors.

We Aim to Please

Two of the foundational principles we operate on here at Swartz Contracting is customer service and satisfaction. Please feel free to read the testimonial written…

A little about us

Swartz Contracting is one of Northwest Ohio’s leading restoration and remodeling companies. Located at 2622 Baty Rd. in Lima, OH, Swartz Contracting specializes in Fire, Wind,…

Water Loss

Here are some the steps we take at a normal water loss.

Fire Restoration

No matter how big or small, when a fire occurs in residential or commercial property, it is a serious situation. Since 1987 and thousands of projects…

Wind&Storm Restoration

When high winds, ice storms, lightning, hail, and tornados arrive, the damage to your property can be significant. Swartz Contracting provides emergency roof tarping and…

Water Loss Testimonial

Please watch this video of one of our customers who we had the privilege of helping after a water loss.

A Letter From our President

Dear Customer, I started Swartz Contracting in 1987 and never did I imagine the number of satisfied customers that we would service over the years.…

Plumbers needed in Antarctica?

You read right. Plumbers are needed in Antarctica. According to the Cambridge News, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is looking for plumbers to support the…

Vandalism & Vehicle Impact Services

At Swartz Contracting we understand that vandalism damage is a scary and unfortunate circumstance. Whether its drywall, windows, siding, painting or any other damage that needs…

Some Insurance Companies We Have Worked With

At Swartz we work with all insurance companies to bring their policy holders the best possible service after a disaster. Below is a list of…

We also do remodeling

Remodeling Swartz Contracting is a family owned business servicing the northwest Ohio area since 1987. We pride ourselves in quality, craftmanship, and customer service. Whether…

Water Restoration

When you have a flood, pipe break, an unexpected roof leak, or a sewer/sump pump backup, water damage can be your worst enemy. With hundreds…

Ohio First State to Get New Policy Insuring Against Loss of Property Value

Home Value Insurance Co. has chosen Ohio for the launch of a new policy that protects homeowners from falling property values. The company says that…

Be Ready for Winter Storms and Extreme Cold

Even though we’ve just begun the autumn season, now is the best time to start your preparations to be sure you’re properly “winterized” and ready…

Nationwide Emergency Alert System Test Set for November 9

The first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, Wednesday, November 9. The National Weather Service and state and…

Earthquakes in Ohio?

In Ohio, the main disasters that the average person thinks about are floods, tornadoes, and extreme thunders storms. Earthquakes are one thing that most Ohioans…

History of Disasters in Ohio

When deciding what insurance to buy for your home, consider looking into the history of the weather in the area you live. For those of…

“National Preparedness Month”

Just a few months ago, Governor Kasich made September “National Preparedness Month.” Being prepared is up to every family, business, and local government. September was…

Educating the Customer

Educating customers about the needs they may face should be a key goal of all insurance companies. When it comes to insurance, sometimes potential customers…

Winter Safety Week

In hand with OCWSA, Governor John R. Kasich designated this week, November 13-19, 2011 as “Ohio’s Winter Safety Awareness Week”. After an uncommon snowstorm hit…

Supporting Charities & Community

Many of us try to think of ways to give back or offer a little here or there when we are able, especially around the…

Culprits of Winter Home Disasters & How to Prevent Them

Frozen Pipes Frozen pipes cause large amounts of damage in homes across the United States each year. When the temperature outside dips below 20 degrees…

Why is it important for your contractor to be certified? What does it mean?

Swartz Contracting is Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified (IICRC) which includes water damage and fire restoration. All management, estimators, project managers, and technicians…

Supporting Charities and the Community

Many of us try to think of ways to give back or offer a little here or there when we are able, especially around the…

Winter Home Maintenance Tips

Yes, it’s cold outside, but your home needs attention in the winter just like it would during the spring and summer months. Now that the…

Winter is Here, but Let’s Think Spring!

Winter weather is just now hitting us, but we can’t help but think about spring and the warmer weather it brings! You may think we…

Thinking about Remodeling?

Sooner or later every homeowner will find the need to make major home improvements or a complete remodel. With spring just around the corner, now…

Got Water Damage?

Busted pipes, overflowing toilets, roof leaks, sewer back-ups, and flooded basements are always unexpected. Water damage requires a certified expert with the knowledge, equipment, and…

Water Damage + Time = MOLD! …Swartz Contracting is the Solution!

What is mold and where does it come from? Mold grows where enough water is present for it to reproduce. So if your home or…

Your Water Restoration Specialists!

Water damage is frustrating and is something that must be taken care of immediately. Time is of the essence to avoid further damage or mold. …

Swartz Contracting’s March Madness Hoopla Contest!

Do you love basketball and the excitement that March Madness brings? Then you will have fun taking shots at our Hoopla Contest! A few games…

Disaster Preparedness: Are You Ready?

Disaster can strike at any time, so keeping your home and family prepared as much as possible could mean the difference between life and death…

Tornadoes

Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again when many areas around the country are hit with unforgiving tornadoes. Though they are most common in and…

Thunderstorms & Lightning

We’ve seen them a lot lately… rain, thunder, and lightning. Sometimes these storms can get pretty intense and cause damage to your home. Every thunderstorm…

What is Odorox?

Looking for an effective solution to conquer those tough odors? From home and commercial properties to hotels, Odorox is the advanced solution to not only…

Is Home Where Your Allergies are?

Do you wake up saying, “A-choo!” with a tissue in hand? Allergies can really put a damper on your day. Most common triggers are pollen…

10 Ways to Prevent Water Damage

Water damage is usually a costly surprise, but here are some tips so you know what to look for before a simple problem turns into…

Weathering Summer Storms

Tornadoes and severe thunderstorms are capable of causing complete destruction or at the very least ruin your day. Many times these storms are spotted by…

Droughts Affect More Than Just Crops

I think this recent rain was an answer to many prayers due to the Midwest drought. Crops, lawns, and trees have really paid the price…

Looking Up For Damage

In our last blog post, we talked about drought periods affecting the ground around your home and possible causing harm to your home’s foundation. This…

Summer Storm Damage

No one ever plans to have storm damage. Storms often come with little notice and we’re never real sure of their strength until they hit.…

Storm Damage: Who are you gonna call?

We’ve seen our fair share of wind damage this summer, and luckily we live in Ohio and weren’t affected by hurricane Isaac and its massive…

Fall is Here! Time to Prepare for Winter!

Tips for Winterizing Your Home: Fall is here! Are you ready for the cold weather and the upcoming winter weather? Here are some tips to…

Fall Clean-up: Grab a Rake!

Fallen leaves of autumn can create a big task in your yard and garden (and gutters!). To avoid having a yard covered in wet leaves…

Outdoor Holiday Decorating Tips from Swartz Contracting

Using a Ladder When hanging lights outdoors, use a ladder that is properly secured and consider having another person below to spot. Roof Decorations It’s…

Holiday Home Fire Safety and Prevention Tips from Swartz Contracting

Tis the season for lights strung everywhere, holiday cooking, candlelight, and lots of time spent indoors. This can bring along with it many great memories,…

The Winter Woes of Basement Floods

In Ohio we never know if we will have rain or snow and it can change from day to day. Long periods of precipitation can…

Taking Care of Your Home or Business’s Disaster Project From Start to Finish

That’s right! We handle any disaster project from the time it happens through completion. That means we clean-up, work with your insurance for you, and…

Show Your Home Some Love In February!

Ah, February… American Heart Month and Valentine’s Day. Be sure to keep the love for your home alive with these maintenance tips to keep it…

Attention Firefighters!

Pride and ownership holds no punches. Chief Rick Lasky takes a hard look at the fire service and finds it short on the only element…

Swartz Contracting’s March Madness Hoopla Contest

Hey basketball fans, are you ready for March Madness? Swartz Contracting will have the March Madness Hoopla contest beginning the week of March 18th, 2014, on…

Flood, Fire, or Storms — We’ll Be There!

Swartz Contracting has over 30 years experience helping home and business owners cope with disasters that disrupt life. Should disaster strike your property, Swartz Contracting…

Residential Coverage Area

Based in Lima, OH, Swartz Contracting provides emergency services to a large coverage area, a 9-county area in northwest, west central and north central Ohio.…

Spring Weather is Finally Here! Let’s Prepare for Summer!

The warmer spring weather is upon us, and before the temps get too dreadfully hot (we’re not complaining because it’s better than snow, right?) now…

Be Prepared for Storm Damage!

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services Storm damage can happen to anyone. Be prepared with our Summer Storm Preparedness Checklist! Trim trees and shrubs around…

Swartz Contracting & Emergency Services: We Have a New Logo!

We have a new logo! Our new logo better reflects who we are: A full-service emergency contractor! Swartz Contracting and Emergency Services is available 24…

Call on Us For Wind & Storm Damage!

We’ve had a few storms in our area recently causing damage to local homes and businesses. When your property is affected by a storm, who…

5 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Storm

Storm preparation can help you in so many ways. Check your insurance. Make sure you have the coverage you need if your property is damaged.…

I Have Water Damage! Now What Do I Do?

You’ve had a long day at work and can’t wait to kick back and relax at home sweet home. You pull into the garage, open…

Disaster Strikes… Pros Strike Back

You can’t plan for a disaster. Mother Nature can unload at any moment, leaving your house, your property in shambles, while leaving you a frustrated…

Fire prevention tips for home

Investing time and effort into fire prevention is a huge asset to ensure your family never has to endure this devastating and frightening experience. According…

Insurance Agents: Register Today for a CE Class Near You!

WHAT: Continuing education training classes for insurance agents will include: *To Pay or Not To Pay: Residential Roofs Ohio Course #39479 *Visual Roofing Maintenance As…

How to create your fire escape plan

Do you and your family have a fire escape plan? If not, it’s more than something you should consider, it’s an absolute must to make…

Workplace fire prevention and survival tips

Workplace fire prevention is an absolute must for any business. A fire in the workplace can be devastating, resulting in the loss of life, injuries,…

Time to winterize your home

Let’s consider for a moment what can happen if you don’t winterize your home: You lose money, your home is colder than it should be…

Prevent holiday cooking fires by staying alert

Did you know Ohio is No. 4 in the U.S. for grease and cooking-related fires on Thanksgiving Day? Or that cooking fires are the No.…

Three holiday fire safety tips to stay safe this season

Did you know that one in every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems? Or that December is the peak time for…

Great gift ideas for home repair

Anyone who has had to buy a gift for a handyman, or woman, knows it can be difficult. First of all, they’ve already got a…

An easy guide to building an emergency supply kit

You simply cannot predict when a disaster will strike. But you can always be prepared for one. No matter what time of year it…

Updated Hurricane Forecast Predicts an Active Season

Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project has updated its extended hurricane forecasts, and while the April forecast looks better than December’s it still looks like…